BUS passengers are set for a better service between High Wycombe and Chesham after two companies agreed to share the route.

Currently Arriva and Carousel Buses operate their own separate services between the two towns, leading to confusion amongst customers.

But all that will change from April 14 after a merger was brokered between the two operators by Transport for Buckinghamshire, with Arriva and Carousel combining the service.

The existing 4 and 62 services will be replaced by a new number 1 route, which will take effect from next month. Serving High Wycombe, Hazlemere, Holmer Green, Amersham and Chesham - alternating between the Pond Park and Hilltop estates - the new service will run every 15 minutes.

Peter Hardy, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, said: "I'm pleased that as a result of listening to our residents we have been able to work with our providers to enable a more streamlined service. I hope that as a result of this, all passengers will reap the benefits of the improvements."

Paul Adcock, Regional Director at Arriva the Shires, said: “The new service, offering a more co-ordinated timetable, gives existing customers and potential customers a greater choice of travel and a more regular service throughout the day. With joint marketing and promotions we hope that this is the start of a successful link for the people of Chesham, Amersham and High Wycombe.”

Philip Kirk, Managing Director of Carousel, said: “We’ve talked to our passengers and its clear they expect the best possible bus service and that is what we aim to deliver. The vehicles need to be comfortable and convenient enough to tempt people to leave their cars at home and catch the bus.”

Although a service co-ordinated between ARRIVA and Carousel Buses may produce some advantages (and cost savings), the fact is that this change represents a reduction in the level of service between High Wycombe, Amersham and Chesham. Each company currently run three buses an hour on their respective routes; a total of six an hour while the new combined route 1 will run every 15 minutes; a total of four each hour. Having said that, when I lived in Amersham as a teenager in the early 60s, I recall that London Transport route 362 only ran every 30 minutes so the frequency is still going to be much better than it was back then.